Google Sheets alternatives

Google Sheets users often seek alternatives due to mobile app limitations, missing features, and performance issues. Many look for better offline capabilities, more advanced spreadsheet functions, or improved user interfaces on mobile devices.

Why users look for alternatives to Google Sheets

The mobile app version of Google Sheets is often seen as less functional and buggy compared to its web browser counterpart, with users reporting crashes and limited features.^R6^R10^R19^R21
Users experience difficulty with basic functionalities on mobile, such as adding checkboxes, editing cells with an external keyboard, or multi-selecting rows/columns.^R4^R28^R34^R49
There are complaints about missing features, including the inability to create forms, view version history with timestamps, or easily change page orientation for printing.^R15^R37^R39
Some users find the app unoptimized for specific devices like iPads, lacking multitasking capabilities or full right-click functionality.^R16^R18^R22^R43
The user interface is sometimes described as not good, difficult to navigate, or lacking expected clever functionality.^R7^R10^R24
There are issues with language support, specifically the inability to set page layout from right-to-left for Arabic text.^R1
Some users report data disappearing or issues with files clogging up on their phones.^R9^R42

The alternatives

Google Drive

4.8★ · 7,654,354 ratings · Free

Google Drive serves as a cloud storage and file management system, allowing users to store, organize, and share various file types, including spreadsheets ^R52^R62^R64. It can be particularly useful for managing VR content by uploading it and then accessing it on other devices ^R55.

Better for: Google Drive is better for users who primarily need a centralized, organized place to store and manage a wide range of files, including spreadsheets, and want easy access across multiple devices ^R52^R62^R64. It suits those who need to upload and share content, such as VR content, and then download it for editing ^R55.

Head-to-head: Google Sheets vs Google Drive

Google

4.6★ · 4,800,741 ratings · Free

The Google app primarily functions as a search engine, offering predictive search results and personalized content based on user interests ^R66^R70. It also provides account protection and services across various platforms ^R74.

Better for: The Google app is better for users who need a powerful search tool that can predict their needs and provide relevant information ^R66. It's also suitable for those who value account security and want to access Google's broader ecosystem of services ^R74.

Head-to-head: Google Sheets vs Google

Google Chrome

4.7★ · 3,648,868 ratings · Free

Google Chrome is a web browser known for its user-friendliness and perceived security ^R80^R86. It allows users to browse the internet and access web-based applications, including Google Sheets itself, which some users prefer over the dedicated Sheets app ^R6.

Better for: Google Chrome is better for users who prefer to access web-based applications, including Google Sheets, through a browser rather than a dedicated app, especially if they find the app version lacking ^R6^R80^R86. It suits those who prioritize a secure and user-friendly browsing experience ^R86.

Head-to-head: Google Sheets vs Google Chrome

Google Docs

4.8★ · 3,149,897 ratings · Free

Google Docs is a word processing application that allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents. It is highly useful for organizing ideas and notes, functioning as a 'second brain' for many, accessible from any device ^R26.

Better for: Google Docs is better for users who need a robust tool for writing, note-taking, and document creation, especially for managing personal and work-related ideas ^R26. It suits those who require cross-device accessibility for their textual content ^R26.

Head-to-head: Google Sheets vs Google Docs

Microsoft Excel

4.8★ · 1,422,147 ratings · Free

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program used for various tasks, including data organization, calculations, and creating lists, charts, and schedules ^R94^R100^R104. Many users depend on it daily for their work and personal life ^R94^R100.

Better for: Microsoft Excel is better for users who need a comprehensive and powerful spreadsheet application for complex data manipulation, calculations, and creating detailed charts and lists ^R94^R100. It suits those who are accustomed to its interface and depend on it for daily tasks ^R12^R94^R100.

Head-to-head: Google Sheets vs Microsoft Excel

Stick with Google Sheets if

You should stick with Google Sheets if you value a free, synchronous utility for managing a high volume of data, especially for small businesses ^R17^R41. It is also a good choice if you appreciate its convenience as a mobile editor for large projects, despite some design challenges .

Evidence note: The Google and Google Docs alternatives have fewer reviews directly supporting their use as alternatives to Google Sheets, but the provided reviews offer insights into their core functionalities.

Frequently asked

Why do users prefer the web version of Google Sheets over the app?

Users often prefer the web version of Google Sheets because the app is described as having bare minimum functionality, missing significant features, being buggy, and unoptimized for mobile devices like iPads ^R6^R18^R19^R21.

What are some common frustrations with Google Sheets on mobile devices?

Common frustrations with Google Sheets on mobile devices include the inability to easily find sheets, difficulty with basic actions like adding checkboxes, issues with external keyboard input, and the app crashing frequently ^R4^R7^R19^R28.

Is Google Sheets suitable for professional use?

Google Sheets is considered a great tool for small businesses and for sharing financial information, but some users find it less suitable for use as working documents due to difficulties in comparing spreadsheets, suggesting its value is more for disseminating final results ^R17^R33^R41.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 106 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

[R6] Google Sheets 3/5 · US The app is not great. Use your internet browser.: Sheets works great on a computer or laptop through an internet browser, but the app version sucks balls.
[R10] Google Sheets 2/5 · US Can’t edit a sheet from my phone: UI is not good
[R19] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Unoptimized for using!!: I’ve used sheets for 10+ years now but suddenly when I try it on iPhone and open the same sheet between turning my screen on and off it closes the sheet out and constantly the entire app it shut down and I reopen the sheet click on the box to edit and the synced with email notification blocks it for a full 5 seconds every time I reopen the sheet because it refuses to run i
[R21] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Good but not quite enough: I use Google Sheets for all my spreadsheet needs now and the web app is excellent. This app is OK for a simple review or change but is missing a number of features that I rely on in the web app. Would be better if the mobile app was feature parity with the web version.
[R4] Google Sheets 2/5 · US Checkboxes: I can’t place an X or a check in the boxes. It’s really necessary.
[R28] Google Sheets 1/5 · US iPad External Keyboard Data Entry Prohibited as “Safety Feature”: Entering data into each and every individual cell using an external keyboard requires you to first click on the “Pencil” (i.e., “Edit”) icon, then use the keyboard to enter one single piece of data. Want to enter more than one piece of data into a second cell? No problem… simply click on the “Pencil” icon onscreen, then type the new
[R34] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Mobile Version - Much to be desired: Literally will wait until I have access to a desktop to use Sheet, Docs, Forms, or Slides. All of the mobile versions are barely the basics. Simple actions like adding checkboxes on the iPad app it can’t do. On an Android phone? No better. The row or column freezes are not easy to move or look at. Really hoping Google (or their AI persona I guess now. Still dis
[R49] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Does not handle Keyboard on iPad well at all: Shift+Click with an attached keyboard does not multi-select rows or columns. As far as I can tell, multi-selecting rows is impossible. I was somehow able to multi-select columns by clicking and dragging, but that is cumbersome on a keyboard. This absolutely needs optimized for keyboard support on iPad. With iPad coming closer and closer to a desktop-li
[R15] Google Sheets 3/5 · US Google Sheets: Excellent and we like it better than Excel. We wish there was a way to create a Sheets Form, like a Purchase Order or Requisition that can be filled out online. Google Forms doesn’t seem to have a spreadsheet type template or that would be great.
[R37] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Can’t be bothered to 1:1 simple web functions: I can’t see version history in the app, which SHOWS you the random order of updates and by user… but can’t be bothered with timestamp? You clearly have it.
[R39] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Stuck: Try to change orientation to Landscape to print but will not do it you need landscape to create spreadsheet but no help either
[R16] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Needs multitasking on iPad: You should be able to open multiple instances on iPad, especially if the website constantly redirects to the app.
[R18] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Okay but missing significant numbers of functions: A very irritating porting of sheets into iPad. Avoid it and use the web. Make sure you also use chrome though, because Google have deliberately made sheets incompatible with almost any other browser.
[R22] Google Sheets 1/5 · US No right click: Right click in iOS version only allows copy, paste, clear. Lack of all the functionality that’s in the right click menu in the browser version (i.e. Paste Special) makes the app useless.
[R43] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Desktop Sheets: The desktop version of Google Sheets requires a lot of work and it’s absolutely necessary if you do any type of spreadsheet manipulations. On an IPad the desktop version loses the command lines when using a trackpad and scrolling up. In addition, if you have multiple sheets and you scroll to the left using a trackpad the left most column is overridden and the next sheet is lo
[R7] Google Sheets 1/5 · US I don’t like it: I can never easily find the sheets
[R24] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Bare minimum functionality….: Its fine. Not what I expect from a Google product. I’d expect some clever functionality for all GSheets features, I can’t seem to even import a simple csv file??
[R1] Google Sheets 1/5 · US Does not meet my basic needs: I can't edit with it because it simply doesn't have Arabic. I need the page layout to be right-to-left. · translated
[R9] Google Sheets 3/5 · US Hard To Download: We have our work shift schedule on sheets, we employees can view but cannot edit. Until this past week, when it clogged up on my phone. Trying to reinstall it involves trying to negotiate the minefield of apps for the OCD knuckle dragging community
[R42] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Good, but……: Potentially a good system, but why does the data keep on disappearing! So frustrating!
[R52] Google Drive 5/5 · US Magnífica herramienta: Muy práctico y útil herramienta.
[R55] Google Drive 5/5 · US Good for vr content: It’s really good if you wanna post VR content all you gotta do is just have the app on VR and on your mobile or whatever device that you do it you just explode it on your the Google Drive and then on your mobile you can check it and then download it to your Photos and edit it and post it
[R62] Google Drive 5/5 · US So amazing.: Google Drive really helps me with my daily life. 10 out of 10
[R64] Google Drive 5/5 · US Amazing: Organized and convenient
[R66] Google 5/5 · US I love it: It can predict. My classes gives me sections on things I love this app!
[R70] Google 5/5 · US 18 years.: i have been using this app for 18... 18 YEARS.
[R74] Google 5/5 · US Deon Davon Podcast: Outstanding google help protect all accounts they have great services in every platform
[R80] Google Chrome 5/5 · US I like it: It seems to be user friendly.
[R86] Google Chrome 5/5 · US CHROME: I prefer Chrome over other platforms. For me it feels safer, more secure.
[R26] Google Sheets 5/5 · US 2nd Brain: I use Google doc daily for my “2nd brain” all my ideas and notes go in here during the day that I review every night so nothing is missed for work, my personal life, and anything in between. It’s highly useful when I can access it from any device and or my phone!
[R12] Google Sheets 3/5 · US Still learning how to use it: I’m used to Microsoft Excel and this is different.
[R94] Microsoft Excel 5/5 · US Life: I use excel almost daily . I depend on it.
[R100] Microsoft Excel 5/5 · US Love it: I’m being using M. Excel all my life and still learning an appreciating how my work life is easier because of it.
[R104] Microsoft Excel 5/5 · US Excelente aplicación: Excelente programa y la aplicación es muy práctica solo debe incluir macros para ampliar sus opciones de edición
[R17] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Great tool: It’s a very great toll for small businesses
[R33] Google Sheets 3/5 · GB Only for final results: Because it is difficult to compare these spreadsheets, they are not suitable for use as working documents. Their value is for disseminating results when work has been completed.
[R41] Google Sheets 5/5 · US Useful: This is the best thing you can Use with everything, work, projects, share financial information. Because everything is on your google account doesn’t matter what device you’re using.

Synthesized from 106 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store